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After far outplaying his veteran minimum deal last season with the Sacramento Kings, former NBA MVP point guard Russell Westbrook remains a free agent, with questions beginning to form about the future of his waning career.
Team members and front office staff in Sacramento had nothing but praise for Westbrook, who played above his pay grade and served as a leader for the Kings' young talent.
But, this praise has not been echoed throughout the league, as Westbrook has been called "difficult to coach," and remains on the market despite continued production.
On Saturday, Westbrook sat down with CNN, where he talked about a plethora of off-the-court topics, but also addressed his current situation.
"I don’t think about it [free agency] honestly," Westbrook said. "I love playing basketball and if it happens, it works and that’s my plan."
Last season, Westbrook averaged 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game on 33.8-percent shooting from 3-point range in 64 games, stepping up in an injury riddled backcourt.
Following the season, both Westbrook and the team expressed interest in a potential reunion, but with limited cap space available, the nine-time All Star would have to play on a similar deal as last season.
This remains a slim possibility, as the Kings have recently re-explored the option of bringing him back, but it remains to be seen whether Westbrook is interested.
Being one of the last players available is becoming a common theme for Westbrook, who eventually signed with the Kings as one of the latest moves of free agency last offseason.
Back in March, eventual Second-Team All Rookie big man Maxime Raynaud talked about the benefit of learning from Westbrook and what he has brought to the team.
"He talks with me a ton about my play, my confidence and about what comes outside of basketball in the NBA," Raynaud said. "I think he's really one of those guys that helped me flip the switch between college and the league, so I've been very appreciative."
Going overseas remains an option as well.
With Westbrook talking about his love for basketball, this could be a fresh perspective for the polarizing guard, who sometimes gets a bad rep because of his competitive spirit and nature.
While it hasn't happened in over a decade, high-level NBA players have opted for the Euroleague route, dating back to Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury.
Marbury, who became an international icon during the waning years of his career in Beijing, won three CBA championships and was commemorated with a statue for his time with the Beijing Ducks.
Iverson, a former league MVP in his own right, finished his professional basketball career with the Turkish club Beşiktaş, but had a much shorter stint, dealing with injury.
According to NBA insider Evan Sidery, this is not Westbrook's top choice, but his energy and enthusiasm for the game would definitely be a fit with the rowdy overseas basketball landscape.
Continue reading...
Team members and front office staff in Sacramento had nothing but praise for Westbrook, who played above his pay grade and served as a leader for the Kings' young talent.
But, this praise has not been echoed throughout the league, as Westbrook has been called "difficult to coach," and remains on the market despite continued production.
On Saturday, Westbrook sat down with CNN, where he talked about a plethora of off-the-court topics, but also addressed his current situation.
"I don’t think about it [free agency] honestly," Westbrook said. "I love playing basketball and if it happens, it works and that’s my plan."
Last season, Westbrook averaged 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game on 33.8-percent shooting from 3-point range in 64 games, stepping up in an injury riddled backcourt.
Following the season, both Westbrook and the team expressed interest in a potential reunion, but with limited cap space available, the nine-time All Star would have to play on a similar deal as last season.
This remains a slim possibility, as the Kings have recently re-explored the option of bringing him back, but it remains to be seen whether Westbrook is interested.
Being one of the last players available is becoming a common theme for Westbrook, who eventually signed with the Kings as one of the latest moves of free agency last offseason.
Back in March, eventual Second-Team All Rookie big man Maxime Raynaud talked about the benefit of learning from Westbrook and what he has brought to the team.
"He talks with me a ton about my play, my confidence and about what comes outside of basketball in the NBA," Raynaud said. "I think he's really one of those guys that helped me flip the switch between college and the league, so I've been very appreciative."
Going overseas remains an option as well.
With Westbrook talking about his love for basketball, this could be a fresh perspective for the polarizing guard, who sometimes gets a bad rep because of his competitive spirit and nature.
While it hasn't happened in over a decade, high-level NBA players have opted for the Euroleague route, dating back to Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury.
Marbury, who became an international icon during the waning years of his career in Beijing, won three CBA championships and was commemorated with a statue for his time with the Beijing Ducks.
Iverson, a former league MVP in his own right, finished his professional basketball career with the Turkish club Beşiktaş, but had a much shorter stint, dealing with injury.
According to NBA insider Evan Sidery, this is not Westbrook's top choice, but his energy and enthusiasm for the game would definitely be a fit with the rowdy overseas basketball landscape.
Continue reading...
